Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Salmon trouble on Lake Union

These days on Lake Union the salmon nets are in our thoughts again. Last Wednesday the Virgina V ran over an improperly lit net and had to be towed for repairs. When Ellis and I were rowing that morning we noted that particular net extended very, very far into the lake impeding traffic under the Freeway Bridge. Then on Monday night down near the Locks a large rigid inflatable hit a net at high speed. It reportedly looked like a fighter jet landing on an aircraft carrier and hitting the catch line. Fisticuffs ensued and both tribal and Seattle officers were called.

In other news I was very nearly rammed by a 2 person racing shell this afternoon. I got to use my horn. I love getting to use my horn.

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Intro and remembering a lost friend

Hey. This is Brandon. I haven't written in a blog before, but want to begin a dialog. I own Seattle Sanitation Service, the old Sanitug and pump holding tanks on the lake with my dog Woofie. I have lived here my whole life graduated from Nathan Hale, went to Western, worked in a shipyard in Anacortes, I've cooked in several fine restaurants in the NW and spent a season in AK. Dina (my wife) and I ran a nonprofit guardianship service for 18+ years and although it was very satisfying, we finally had to quit. It was too hard on our hearts.

All my adult years in Seattle, I have mourned my time in Skagit and Bellingham. When I passed the lake in the morning on my way to work or on my way home, I would look down at the water, see the wind drawing patterns across the lake and want to run away to the San Juan’s. As soon as I began working on the water, the longing abated. I've been at this for around 3 years and I still sing at work and am reportedly a much nicer person.

On a completely different note, I am remembering my childhood friend Mark Anderson. He died a few years ago and I still miss him. My son and I are rowing 3 days a week at the Center for Wooden Boats and are now thinking about putting a crew together to race one of the pilot gigs there. One of the first people I thought of was Mark, but he's gone.
It really sucks doesn't it.